Parents
Why is basketball a fantastic sport for children to become involved in?
- Basketball can be played by both boys and girls
- Basketball is a welcoming and inclusive sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities
- Basketball is an indoor sport that can be played all year round
- Basketball is a team sport that can help to develop a child's teamwork and leadership skills, as well as their confidence and self esteem
- Basketball is an international sport that is safe and comparitively inexpensive
- Basketball is fun to play and is enjoyed by children in basketball stadiums throughout Australia
- There are great pathways in basketball. Children can represent their school, club, association, state or country and can aspire to play in the Australian national league or overseas.
For a detailed basketball guide for parents check out the Parent Handbook which is available through your state/territory association.
There are many ways in which parents can get involved in the sport of basketball.
Playing
Basketball is a sport for people of all ages and all abilities. Most associations run basketball competitions for adults. Why not get a group of friends or other parents together and start a team? It's a great way to stay active and have fun!
Coaching
Coaching is a great way to get involved in basketball and you do not have to have ever played the sport.
Local Associations and state/territory associations regularly conduct courses to teach people how to coach. This can be a most rewarding way to get further involved in your child's basketball activities and help the basketball association.
Check out Basketball Australia's online store for the list of great resources available to help you to be the coach!
Refereeing
Refereeing is a fantastic way to get involved and make a contribution to the sport. It's also good for fitness, can earn you some pocket money and is a great way to meet other people in the association.
Associations regularly conduct referee courses so why not sign up for the next one?
Scoretable and Statistics
Referees aren't the only officials in basketball. There are also the Scoretable officials (who do the timing and scoring) and, at higher levels of competition, statistics are kept.
Contact your local association for when they are next running a course.
Other volunteering roles
Most associations or clubs have few, or no, paid staff so need the help of many people to operate. There are a number of volunteer roles that can be rewarding for you and help the association.
Roles such as serving on club or association committees, assisting with events or sitting on a tribunal are essential to the running of an association.
Speak to your association about how your skills, time and enthusiasm can best be utilised.
Code of Conduct
Introduction
Basketball Australia has developed Codes of Conduct to guide the behaviour of all people involved in the sport and ensure that basketball remains a safe, inclusive and enjoyable activity.
Parent's Code of Conduct
- Encourage your children to participate for their own interest and enjoyment, not yours.
- Encourage children to always play by the rules.
- Teach children that an honest effort is always as important as a victory.
- Focus on developing skills and playing the game. Reduce the emphasis on winning.
- Children learn best by example. Applaud good play by all teams.
- Do not criticise your children or other participants.
- Accept the referee's decision as being fair and called to the best of their ability.
- Set a good example by your own conduct, behaviour and appearance.
- Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
- Show appreciation for volunteer coaches, officials and administrators.
- Keep children in your care under control.
- Always treat the facilities and equipment provided with respect.
Spectator's Code of Conduct
- Remember that most people play sport for enjoyment.
- Accept the decisions of all referees as being fair and called to the best of their ability.
- Always be positive in your support for the players.
- Condemn the use of violence in any form.
- Respect your team's opponents, officials and spectators.
- Encourage players to obey the rules and accept decisions of officials.
- Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language or harassing players, coaches or officials.
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
- Keep children in your care under control.
- Always treat the facilities and equipment provided with respect.
Player's Code of Conduct
- Understand and play by the rules.
- Never argue with an official.
- Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other players, or deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent is not acceptable or permitted.
- Work equally hard for yourself and for your team. Your team's performance will benefit and so will you.
- Be a good sport. Acknowledge all good plays whether they be by your team or the other team.
- Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.
- Cooperate with your coach, officials, team mates and opponents. Without them, there is no game.
- Play for the fun of it and not just to please parents and coaches.
- Respect the rights of others and avoid the use of derogatory language based on gender, race or impairment.
- Be prepared to lose sometimes. Be a fair winner and a good loser.
- Listen to the advice of your coach and try to apply it at practice and in games.
- Always use the facilities and equipment provided with respect.
Other Codes of Conduct
Basketball Australia has also developed Codes of Conduct for Administrators, Coaches and Officials, which are available on the Basketball Australia website.
